Design Technology

What is the subject objective?

Design and Technology develops a pupil's ability for innovative and creative thought through the planning and production of design projects related to real-world needs and situations. Pupils investigate existing solutions, analyse data and information, and generate, justify and evaluate ideas.

The curriculum objectives for Design Technology are:

To develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
To build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
To critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

In design technology the principles of the national curriculum are used in that we follow the design, make and evaluate model for our lessons.
We want the pupils to know how to use tools safely and be able to use the practical skills they have been taught by the time they leave school
We teach Design Technology because we want the pupils to be able to use their practical skills. Many pupils find sitting in a classroom difficult. Design Technology gives the opportunity to be up and about, working in a safe but practical manner.
Design technology works with termly themes e.g. brilliant bodies, incredible inventions. The lesson and activities are dictated by the level of individual pupils and often differentiated within the class.

The subject is delivered via BTEC – based learning, either using wood or textiles in KS4.

How is the subject delivered?

Progress across the curriculum is mapped by the individual Design Technology teachers and is reflected in the tasks the individual pupils are set. We also document tasks and products to evidence progress. A timeline of pupils' work can be produced by the teachers to show the impact this is having.

The subject is delivered in KS3 using a termly theme, all activities are based on the theme and a product is made, using wood, textiles or card, to meet the brief. The resources used include ICT for research, different types of materials and tools to make the product. The pupils build on the skills learnt in KS3 to continue into KS4

Impact and accreditation

The impact of the curriculum is shown by the pupils having the ability to take risks, become more resourceful, innovate and become enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

In KS4 the pupils work towards the accreditation - WJEC Entry 2 Preparing for Work.

Reading across the curriculum

Pupils have a lot of opportunities for reading through the Design Technology curriculum. The 'design, make and evaluate' model helps us with research and planning. The sketching process and the written instructions, together with the evaluation stage, all involve some form of reading, whether that be with symbols, gestural or with words.

Linking with our vision

There are so many ways in which Design Technology contributes to the school vision.

Providing opportunities to try new things – using sewing machines, hand tools and machinery
Developing resilience – planning a project and then having to reevaluate because a measurement was wrong, or the materials you have chosen are not sustainable enough for the task, these so called ‘setbacks’ develop our resilience and help us find a way to overcome them.
Collaborating with others – sharing workspaces and resources, teamwork, borrowing ideas from each other all help with collaboration.
Living their best lives – helping pupils realise that they can do these tasks, empowering them to use the skills they have learnt to help them, either at home or in their future employment.